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International Sprint Grand Prix - 3ISGP
Lehigh Valley Velodrome, Pennsylvania, USA, June 19, 2007
Sprinters storm the 'concrete crater'
By Nathan Carrick
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Stormy weather cut racing short at the International Sprint Grand Prix in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, but before the rain started to fall, the stacked field put on a good show for the crowds.
Early in the day, the 200-meter time trials and the first round of sprints were run, but the time the first race of the evening session started, ominous storm clouds had begun to form on the horizon.
In the men's sprint quarterfinals, local fan-favorite Ben Barczewski (T-Town Express) won a very close, exciting race against Tim Veldt (Schijf) of the Netherlands.
"My ride with Tim was great," Barczewski said while huddling under the grandstand bleachers as a downpour soaked the Lehigh Valley. "I did everything I wanted to do. I thought I controlled the ride and pretty much had it sewn up." Barczewski will face Maximilian Levy (Brandenburg) of Germany in the semifinals after Levy overcame Adam Duvendek (Momento Cycling) of the US.
"It's going to be a tough ride," Barczewski admitted. "But I think if I ride it smart, I have a good chance." Roberto Chiappa (Grouppo Sportivo) of Italy, Friday's winner of the Red Robin Keirin Cup and this morning's fastest qualifier with a 10.540 second ride in the 200-meter time trial, also won his quarterfinal round against Yondi Schmidt (Schmidt) of the Netherlands. He faces Josiah Ng (Momentum) of Malaysia in the semifinals, which were rescheduled.
The rescheduled finals saw Barczewski go 0 for 2 in the final against Ng who picked up third place overall. In the race for first place, Chiappa took both rounds to win ahead of Germany's Max Levy.
On the women's side, American sprinter Jenny Reed (Momentum) won her quarterfinal round against the up-and-coming young talent, 18 year-old Lauren Shirock (BMW-Bianchi). Reed's qualifying 200-meter time was practically identical to Friday's Keirin Cup winner, Christin Muche (Brandenburg) of Germany. Reed rode a 11.990, while Muche was just four hundredths faster at 11.950.
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"It's going to be some good racing," Reed said about her probable match-up with Muche. "Tomorrow it's about who wants it more and also about the tactics out on the banks." Muche won her quarterfinal heat against Kacey Manderfield (Verducci/Breakaway) of the US.
When the racing resumed the following day, Muche was able to get the better of the American, and took the women's sprint final. Liz Reap-Carlson beat Anna Lang for third.
Even though a violent thunderstorm cut racing short at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome, the philosophy of the evening was evident: to catch big fish, you need the right bait. That's why the concrete crater hosted a UCI sanctioned sprint tournament on a Tuesday.
"We need to offer an incentive for international riders to come to T-town," Executive Director Erin Hartwell said as a smattering of the best track racers in the world rolled around the track casually warming up. "This is a long way to come, and they won't do it if we only offer one night of racing."
Hartwell came up with a plan to offer three nights of UCI sanctioned racing in a week, ensuring that riders who spent a bundle on airfare to get here got their money's worth when it came to racing. June 15th's Red Robin Keirin Cup, the sprint tournament and June 22nd's OAA Institute Fastest Man on Wheels are all part of the package.
Virtually the same field that raced on the normal Friday night professional schedule last week was present tonight, geared up and ready for the first ever thevelodrome.com International Sprint Grand Prix. It was to be a straightforward sprint tournament, with a second round set for Tuesday, August 14.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com
- Cycling is a lifelong sport and they start them young at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome.
- Ben Barczewski's (T-Town Express) narrow victory over Tim Veldt (Schijf) in the sprint quarterfinals was all about tactics since they qualified with only five hundredths of a second difference.
- Max Levy (Brandenburg) nips Adam Duvendek (Momento Cycling) in the quarterfinals.
- Anna Lang's (SDBC/Karl Strausse) bike throw at the line earned her the win against Dana Feiss (YMCC).
- Velodrome director and former Olympian Erin Hartwell holds Tim Veldt (Schijf) at the line.
- Adam Duvendek (Momento Cycling) takes fifth place in the sprint tourmanent.
- Max Levy (Brandenburg) winds it up while leading out Ben Barczewski (T-Town Express) in the sprint semifinals.
- Track Star: The next generation.
- Junior racing went on as scheduled Wednesday, despite the displaced pros swooping in after getting rained out Tuesday night.
- Kevin Schiller (GS Adams Ave) digs deep.
- T-Town legend Bruce "Torch" Donaghy (Morgan Stanley Cycling) returns to the track this season in preparation for the Masters Track Championship in August.
- The domestic road scene's hottest new sprinter Alejandro Borrajo (Rite Aid) has been keeping himself busy on the banks as well.
- Paul "Animal" Pearson (Bucks County Racing) a former winner of the Tour of Somerville, dusted off the old fixed gear this season to get in shape for the Masters National Championship in August.
- Tim Veldt (Schijf) takes the men's five-mile final, which came down to a bunch sprint.
- Jenny Reed (Momentun) keeps an eye out for Christin Muche (Brandenburg) to make her move with one lap to go in the women's sprint final.
- Jenny Reed (Momentum) wins one of three rides in the women's sprint final, making Christin Muche's (Brandenburg) final victory anything but easy.
- Olympic and multiple World Champion Marty Nothstein holds Ben Barczewski (T-Town Express) at the start line.
- Jenny Reed (Momentum) and Christin Muche (Brandenburg) wait to do battle.
- Chritin Muche (Brandenburg) wins the sprint title by beating Jenny Reed (Momentum) in one last exciting sprint to the line.
- Roberto Chiappa (Crouppo Sportivo) AKA the Italian Stallion, lines up above Max Levy (Brandenburg) for the sprint final.
- Roberto Chaippa (Grouppo Sportivo) makes it look easy.
- The junior sprinters showed promise with Lanell Rockmore (Young Medalists) taking two of three races in a hard-fought win against Daniel Sullivan (Metra/Wendy's).
- Christin Muche (Brandenbug) was all smiles and confidence at the start as she lines up against Jenny Reed (Momentum).
- Officials watch the sky darken as a powerful storm rolls in.
Results
Women's 200 meter TT 1 Christin Muche (Ger) Brandemberg 0.11.95 2 Jenny Reed (USA) Momentum 0.11.99 3 Anna Lang (USA) SDBC/Karl Strausse 0.12.29 4 Liz Reap Carlson (USA) T-Town Express 0.12.31 5 Cari Higgins (USA) America's Dairy Land 0.12.71 6 Lauren Shirock (USA) BMW Bianchi 0.13.15 7 Dana Feiss (USA) YMCC 0.13.20 8 Kacey Manderfield (USA) Verducci/Breakaway 0.13.20 9 May Britt Hartwell (Nor) YMCC 0.13.39 10 Kele Murdin (USA) Ultra Link 0.13.49 11 Morgan Farnsworth (USA) YMCC 0.14.38 Women's sprint 1/4 final Heat 1 1 Christin Muche (Ger) Brandemberg 2 Kacey Manderfield (USA) Verducci/Breakaway Heat 2 1 Jenny Reed (USA) Momentum 2 Lauren Shirock (USA) BMW Bianchi Heat 3 1 Anna Lang (USA) SDBC/Karl Strausse 2 Dana Feiss (USA) YMCC Heat 4 1 Liz Reap Carlson (USA) T-Town Express 2 Cari Higgins (USA) America's Dairy Land Women's sprint semi finals Heat 1 1 Christin Muche (Ger) Brandemberg 2 Liz Reap Carlson (USA) T-Town Express Heat 2 1 Jenny Reed (USA) Momentum 2 Anna Lang (USA) SDBC/Karl Strausse Women's sprint 5-8 final 1 Cari Higgins (USA) America's Dairy Land 2 Dana Feiss (USA) YMCC 3 Kacey Manderfield (USA) Verducci/Breakaway 4 Lauren Shirock (USA) BMW Bianchi Wonen's sprint final Final for 1 and 2 1 Christin Muche (Ger) Brandenburg 2 Jenny Reed (USA) Momentum Finals for 3 and 4 1 Liz Reap Carlson (USA) T-Town Express 2 Anna Lang (USA) SDBC/Karl Strausse Men's 200 meter TT 1 Roberto Chiappa (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo 0.10.54 2 Maximilian Levy (Ger) Brandenburg 0.10.78 3 Leandro Bottaso (Arg) Argentina 0.10.90 4 Josiah Ng (Mas) Momentum 0.10.91 5 Giddeon Massie (USA) T-Town Express 0.10.98 6 Tim Veldt (Ned) Schijf 0.11.01 7 Ben Barczewski (USA) T-Town Express 0.11.06 8 Ryan Nelman (USA) T-Town Express 0.11.07 9 Adam Duvendek (USA) Momento Cycling 0.11.09 10 Kasper Jessen (Den) Oldense 0.11.13 11 Eric Beausejour (Can) Track Team 0.11.24 12 Gary Ryan (Aus) Verducci 0.11.26 13 Angelo Martorell (USA) SBW 0.11.35 14 Yondi Schmidt (Ned) Schmidt 0.11.37 15 Diego Grosso (Arg) Sprinter #3 0.11.45 16 Haseem Maclean (Tri) Trinidad 0.11.57 17 Kevin Schiller (USA) GS Adams Ave 0.11.60 18 Travis Smith (Can) Momentum Cycling 0.11.74 19 Maralet Rodriguez (PRc) GR Sport 0.11.82 20 Marc Prutton (NZl) Pegasers 0.12.56 DNS Andrew Kuklis (USA) Gotham/Hensley Men's Sprint 1/8 final Heat 1 1 Roberto Chiappa (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo 0.11.61 2 Eric Beausejour (Can) Track Team Heat 2 1 Maximilian Levy (Ger) Brandenburg 0.11.69 2 Yondi Schmidt (Ned) Schmidt Heat 3 1 Tim Veldt (Ned) Schijf 0.12.08 2 Leandro Bottaso (Arg) Argentina Heat 4 1 Josiah Ng (Mas) Momentum 0.11.64 2 Adam Duvendek (USA) Momento Cycling Heat 5 1 Giddeon Massie (USA) T-Town Express 0.11.45 2 Ryan Nelman (USA) T-Town Express Heat 6 1 Ben Barczewski (USA) T-Town Express 0.11.30 2 Angelo Martorell (USA) SBW Men's Sprint 1/4 final Heat 1 1 Roberto Chiappa (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo 0.11.82 2 Yondi Schmidt (Ned) Schmidt Heat 2 1 Maximilian Levy (Ger) Brandenburg 0.11.28 2 Adam Duvendek (USA) Momento Cycling Heat 3 1 Ben Barczewski (USA) T-Town Express 0.11.43 2 Tim Veldt (Ned) Schijf Heat 4 1 Josiah Ng (Mas) Momentum 0.11.38 2 Giddeon Massie (USA) T-Town Express Men's sprint semi final Heat 1 1 Roberto Chiappa (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo 2 Josiah Ng (Mas) Momentum Heat 2 1 Maximilian Levy (Ger) Brandenburg 2 Ben Barczewski (USA) T-Town Express Men's Sprint 9-12 Final 1 Leandro Bottaso (Arg) Argentina 2 Ryan Nelman (USA) T-Town Express 3 Eric Beausejour (Can) Track Team 4 Angelo Martorell (USA) SBW Men's Sprint 5-8 Finals 1 Adam Duvendek (USA) Momento Cycling 2 Yondi Schmidt (Ned) Schmidt 3 Giddeon Massie (USA) T-Town Express 4 Tim Veldt (Ned) Schijf Men's Sprint Final Finals for 1 and 2 Race #1 1 Roberto Chiappa (Ita) 0.11.09 2 Maximilian Levy (Ger) Finals for 1 and 2 Race #2 1 Roberto Chiappa (Ita) 0.11.37 2 Maximilian Levy (Ger) Finals for 3 and 4 Race #1 1 Josiah Ng (Mas) 0.11.42 2 Ben Barczewski (USA) Finals for 3 and 4 Race #2 1 Josiah Ng (Mas) 0.11.20 2 Ben Barczewski (USA) Junior Men 200 meter TT 1 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists 0.11.74 2 Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club 0.11.97 3 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's 0.12.10 4 Ted Sheperd (USA) Young Medalists 0.12.39 5 Tynan Farley (USA) Young Medalists 0.12.39 6 Taylor Kahl (USA) Libery Cycle 0.12.42 7 Chris Stern (USA) Libery Cycle 0.12.44 8 Matthew Holub (USA) Gotham Cyclists 0.12.48 9 Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain 0.12.82 Junior Men Sprint 1/8 final Heat 1 1 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists Heat 2 1 Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club Heat 3 1 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's Heat 4 1 Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain 0.12.63 2 Ted Sheperd (USA) Libery Cycle Heat 5 1 Tynan Farley (USA) Young Medalists 0.12.92 2 Matthew Holub (USA) Gotham Cyclists Heat 6 1 Taylor Kahl (USA) Libery Cycle 0.12.41 2 Chris Stern (USA) Libery Cycle Junior Men sprint 1/4 final Heat 1 1 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists 2 Ted Sheperd (USA) Young Medalists Heat 2 1 Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club 2 Chris Stern (USA) Libery Cycle Heat 3 1 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's 2 Taylor Kahl (USA) Libery Cycle Heat 4 1 Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain 2 Tynan Farley (USA) Young Medalists Junior Men sprint semi final Heat 1 1 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists 2 Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain Heat 2 1 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's 2 Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club Junior Men sprint 5-8 final 1 Chris Stern (USA) Libery Cycle 0.12.59 2 Tynan Farley (USA) Young Medalists 3 Taylor Kahl (USA) Libery Cycle 4 Ted Sheperd (USA) Libery Cycle Junior Men sprint final Final for 1 and 2 Race #1 1 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists 0.11.98 2 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's Final for 1 and 2 Race #2 1 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's 0.12.35 2 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists Final for 1 and 2 Race #3 1 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists 0.13.19 2 Daniel Sullivan (USA) Metra/Wendy's Final for 3 and 4 Race #1 1 Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain 0.13.35 2 Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club Final for 3 and 4 Race #2 1 Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain 0.12.66 2 Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club Cat 1-2 Men's Elimination Race 1 Pete Dawson (Aus) 2 Bobby Lea (USA) Toyota United 3 Gustavo Artacho (Arg) Colavita Sutter Home 4 Lanell Rockmore (USA) Young Medalists 5 Darren Harry (Aus) 6 Kevin Schiller (USA) GS Adams Ave 7 Peter Fitzpatrick (Aus) 8 Kasper Jessen (Den) Oldense 9 Marc Prutton (NZl) Pegasers 10 Maralet Rodriguez (PRc) GR Sport 11 Tom Dolan (USA) CC Evesham 12 Phil Gaimon (USA) CRCA/Sakonnet 13 Yondi Schmidt (Ned) Schmidt 14 Eric Beausejour (Can) Track Team 15 Rich Orner (USA) Independence 16 Rodney Santiago (PRc) CCG 17 Paul Pearson (USA) Bucks County Racing DNS Giddeon Massie (USA) T-Town Express DNS Haseem Maclean (Tri) Trinidad DNS Sergio Guatto (Arg) DNS Leandro Bottaso (Arg) Argentina DNS Diego Grosso (Arg) Sprinter #3 DNS Angelo Martorell (USA) SBW DNS Andrew Kuklis (USA) Gotham/Hensley DNS Bruce Donaghy (USA) Morgan Stanley Cycli DNS Chris Ruhl (USA) Team Alliance DNS Taylor Kahl (USA) Liberty Cycle DNS Ted Sheperd (USA) Young Medalist DNS Jeremy Shirock (USA) South Mountain DNS Andrew Harris (USA) FCS Cycling Club DNS Chris Stern (USA) Liberty Cycle DNS Alejandro Borrajo (Arg) Rite Aid DNS Matt Diefenback (USA) Tri-State Velo Cat 1-2 Men's Five Mile Final 1 Tim Veldt (Ned) Schijf 2 Leandro Bottaso (Arg) Argentina 3 Peter Fitzpatrick (Aus) 4 Yondi Schmidt (Ned) Schmidt 5 Bobby Lea (USA) Toyota United 6 Gustavo Artacho (Arg) Colavita Sutter Home 7 Diego Grosso (Arg) Sprinter #3 8 Kevin Schiller (USA) GS Adams Ave 9 Marc Prutton (NZl) Pegasers 10 Bruce Donaghy (USA) Morgan Stanley Cycli 11 Pete Dawson (Aus) 12 Alejandro Borrajo (Arg) Rite Aid DNF Paul Pearson (USA) Bucks County Racing DNF Haseem Maclean (Tri) Trinidad DNF Kasper Jessen (Den) Oldense DNF Rodney Santiago (PRc) CCG DNF Maralet Rodriguez (PRc) GR Sport DNF Rich Orner (USA) Independence DNF Darren Harry (Aus) DNF Matt Diefenback (USA) Tri-State Velo
